satelliteinasupernova: A Perpetual Estrangement: Chapter 7Newly vivid in his memory, Betty was in f

satelliteinasupernova:

A Perpetual Estrangement: Chapter 7

Newly vivid in his memory, Betty was in front of him, her hair only half tied back behind her head, a messy fray of loose curls casting over her shoulder. She wasn’t even wearing proper shoes, she had come all the way to see him still wearing her house slippers. She looked like she hadn’t slept in days.

Even before she spoke the words, her eyes had been clouded over with despair. Her throat caught on the words, and with them, the tears that had been threatening to fall from her eyes cascaded down her face. While his heart closed off from her, she watched. She bit her lip to keep it from quivering.

“Jug,” she said, reaching for his arm. He shook it off. “Jug, my parents have refused to provide a dowry. I would be just a burden to you.” Later, he would remember this only as one of her many excuses. Her deciding proof that he wasn’t a good enough match for her.

Now, he could see that she had been a young woman forced to choose between her family and love. Between stability and the potential for poverty. He could recognize now how the choice had torn her apart.

ReadChapter 7 / or start from the beginning